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The airport is not opposed to kit building activities in the hangars and believes it is an activity that should be enjoyed by the hangar tenants. There are some stages in the construction, however, that may require the aircraft to be relocated temporarily to a different location so as to not violate any fire codes. This would include the painting of the aircraft, and any activity involving doping of the aircraft. Both activities are considered a “hazardous operation” according to the fire code and have the potential to cause a hangar fire. It is also important to note that although the airport does not object to kit building within fire code standards; kit building is not recognized by the FAA as a protected aeronautical activity (Ashton v. City of Concord, FAA Docket No. 16-99-09, 2000). Therefore, the airport does have the authority to prohibit kit building in the event this activity is abused with respect to violation of the fire codes or extended periods of non-airworthy aircraft storage. View the Ashton v. City of Concord, FAA Docket No. 16-99-09

The hangars were designed for the storage of aircraft and are classified as Type III hangars, not equipped with fire suppression. Based on the international interpretation of the International Fire Code (IFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards; the exposing of flammable liquids and/or torch cutting, torch soldering, welding, doping, and spray painting are not permitted in Type III hangars. Maintenance activities are restricted to maintenance on one’s own aircraft, i.e., a person cannot operate a mechanic business out of the hangars.

Yes, airport tenants can hire an Independent Operator to perform work on their aircraft in their hangar. However, the mechanic must have an airport permit (requires a Boulder City Business license, insurance and airport fee) and the maintenance activities can not violate the fire code (no hazardous operations per NFPA 409).